Diversity Campaigns Need More Straight White Men, Says White Male Politician

Speaking in the ACT Legislative Assembly in Canberra, Mark Parton of the centre-right Liberal Party—led by Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull—argued that diversity programs were not doing enough to support white straight men.

"I always find it fascinating that we focus on all of these groups that we're not going to leave behind," Parton said in comments reported by ABC. "But if you are a heterosexual, employed, white male over the age of 30 you're not really included in anything."

Parton was responding to a private motion brought by Labor politician Tara Cheyne that welcomed government support for inclusion initiatives targeting LGBTQ groups, refugees, indigenous Australians, and vulnerable people.

"I know that those on the other side would say that heterosexual, employed, Anglo males have opportunities aplenty so we don't need to look after them, they'll be OK," Parton said.

"When we commit to inclusion, we shouldn't be picking favorites, we should be including everyone," he added, apparently unaware that diversity initiatives by definition seek to target those from under-represented groups in Australian society.

A women's rights group has derided Parton's comments as "foolish" and "offensive." Speaking to ABC, campaigner Virginia Haussegger of the 50/50 By 2030 initiative—which promotes gender equality—criticized his views.

"As Mr Parton is aware, our federal Parliament is overwhelmingly run by white, heterosexual men aged over 30, who hold the majority of power, influence and key decision-making roles," she said.

Clarifying his remarks in a subsequent interview with the Canberra Times, Parton re-affirmed his desire to include white men in more inclusion initiatives.

"I think there's a perception by some that I'm saying all white heterosexual men over 30 are downtrodden, that's not what I'm saying at all, but there is a large number of that cohort who have been marginalized but because they're not a part of a minority group don't feel they can access assistance," he said. "I'm just saying inclusion should be about everyone and there are large group of men who feel they've been left behind and that's reflected sadly in the suicide figures in this country."

Ironically, local men's group Menslink disavowed Parton's comments, saying that Canberra was "probably unique" in the number of services it could offer vulnerable men.

Responding to the furor with a video filmed in his car and posted to Twitter, Parton claimed that his comments had been taken out of context. "If and when you see the entire speech," he said, "you'll go, 'Ah, that's what he was trying to say.'"

On Thursday, he appeared in front of press to read emails that were allegedly sent to him expressing support for his views. He also posted the full video of his speech onto his Facebook page.

Broadly has reached out to Parton for further comment and will update if we receive a response.